Arsenal reportedly turned down a €27 million bid from FC Porto last week for a highly rated defender. Arsenal’s transfer window has been marked by ambitious moves purely in a bid to strengthen key areas and provide strength in depth. This effort, coupled with the contract extensions of key players, has put the Gunners in a commanding position ahead of the new campaign.
Arsenal are also poised to sanction the departure of a handful of players in order to streamline the squad and create more wiggle room financially. A player no stranger to transfer speculation is Jakub Kiwior, as he was even subject to a bid recently. However, the Gunners are seemingly determined to keep hold of the versatile central defender. Media speculation for the past few days has cited a bid from an unknown club in Portugal.
FC Porto bid turned down by Arsenal
As per a report by Foot Mercato, the unknown club is indeed FC Porto, but their €27 million bid was swiftly turned down by Arsenal. The offer was structured as a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent. The Dragões are reportedly keen to add the central defender to their ranks as they continue to scour the market for defensive reinforcements. That said, they will have to return with a much improved offer.
Arsenal do not want to sanction his departure under those conditions and are willing to keep hold unless a permanent offer, at the right price, is made for a player highly rated by Mikel Arteta. The player is under contract until 2028 and is seen as a key member of the squad due to his versatility.
Arsenal value Kiwior’s versatility and depth
The Poland international arrived in January 2023 in a deal worth €25 million plus add-ons. Despite making 68 appearances thus far, the Pole has failed to establish himself in the Arsenal starting eleven, leading to constant speculation of a move away. It is important to note he is still highly regarded by Mikel Arteta due to his aforementioned qualities.
Arsenal’s firm stance also highlights their intent to retain strength in depth ahead of a crucial campaign.
Is Arteta right to hold onto Kiwior? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Benjamin Kenneth
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He’s proven many of us wrong with his consistency. We need to keep him.
While I’m not really in the sell or keep camp where Kiwior is concerned.
I’ve just read a piece on the BBC Website regarding transfers both in and out of teams.
Chelsea have spent £240M, but have recouped £129.2 already, plus there could be another £50M in the pipeline. There top of the list.
Arsenal with all their expenditure so far have recouped £6.8M. And are third from bottom of the table.
I do hope that’s not an omen for the coming season. 😂🤣👍
Derek
Yes, Arsenal needs to start selling in the last three weeks or so of the window. Easier said than done as I don’t think our “surplus players” are generally in as much demand as those at, say, Chelsea.
I have confidence in Berta’s ability to sell players (as well as to buy them) but as I’ve said in other posts, I suspect he’ll have his work cut out to make an impression across the six or seven that Arsenal are reported at least to want to move on this summer. We’ll see.
Good ‘ole rinse and repeat Chelsea.
True. Let’s hope Arsenal can do it – even to a smaller extent.
Derek,
Won’t much depend on how much Chelsea spent on the players they sold in the first place?
It’s more down to the form of Saliba and Gabiel that Kiwior hasn’t been able to nail a starting place and has proved that he is very capable when either are not available. Kiwior needs to stay.
Selling the right players would be good but I’d rather not try to copy Chelsea’s game plan to any extent.